Bathtub Overflow Dilemma
Hi everyone! I was about to give my dog a bath but got sidetracked by something downstairs. After about 30 minutes, I went back upstairs to find the bathroom flooded, and now there’s water leaking through the ceiling. Unfortunately, the tub doesn’t have an overflow drain. I thought my partner had renters insurance, but he just told me it’s only for our previous apartment. Our lease is ending soon, and we were about to sign for another year.
Should we come clean about the situation now, or try to address the problem quietly and leave? The place is basically held together with putty and gum, and it seems like there have been some cheap fixes done around here. There are quite a few soft and creaky spots in the bathroom, which makes me suspect this might have happened before.
I’m looking for any advice you might have! Thank you!
It sounds like you’re in a tricky situation. Here are a few steps you might consider:
Assess the Damage: Before making any decisions, take a thorough look at the extent of the flooding and the damage. Document everything with photos, as this will be useful later.
Try to Fix What You Can: If you can address the immediate issue (like cleaning up the water and drying out the area), it might help prevent further damage and show that you took initiative.
Consult Your Lease: Review your lease agreement to understand your responsibilities regarding damage and maintenance. This can provide some clarity on your obligations.
Communicate with Your Landlord: Honesty is usually the best policy. It might be tough to come forward, but it’s better to inform your landlord about the situation. They may appreciate your honesty and might even have an understanding regarding the damage, especially if there were existing issues in the bathroom.
Consider the Consequences: If you choose to hide the damage and it gets discovered later, it could lead to much bigger problems for you, especially in terms of your security deposit or potential liability.
Look into Insurance: Even though your partner doesn’t currently have renters insurance, it might be worth exploring if they could get coverage that could help with this type of incident in the future.
Overall, being upfront with your landlord could save you from more significant issues down the line. Good luck!